Blueprint: Metro Ethernet

The Road to 100 Gbps

Ethernet rates historically have increased by a factor of 10 and currently are defined up to 10 Gbps. Alternatively, SONET/SDH/Optical Transport Network (OTN) rates, currently defined up to 40 Gbps, traditionally increased by a factor of four; convergence began at 10 Gbps. With recent developments, this convergence continues at 40 and 100 Gbps.

NGN Transformation in the Midst of Recession

In response to the current economic downturn, some telecom executives are considering deferring plans for transitioning to Next Generation Networks (NGN), believing that at a time of credit crunch the capital spending required for the transition is a luxurious upgrade rather than a necessity. However, by adapting plans to the economic conditions, telecom executives may find the recession to be an opportunity to successfully transform to NGN, rather than an obstacle.

The True Cost Implications of a <br>Metro Network Architecture

Currently, network architectures are often based on IP routers with SONET/SDH MSTPs in every office, handling a traffic mix of TDM-based services including voice and low-to-high-speed private lines, as well as packet-based services such as Internet, IPTV, VoIP and IP-VPN and Carrier Ethernet. With the advent of hybrid packet-optical transport systems, new low-cost, scalable architectures are possible. In fact, many services that have traditionally been carried end-to-end through IP/MPLS networks can now be transported and switched through Ethernet/OTN-optimized packet optical networks.

Carrier Ethernet OAM -- Enabling Next-Gen Services over Metro Ethernet

Ethernet Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) is a generic term for a broad set of terms and capabilities. Each Ethernet OAM tool has its own objective and as whole, they complement each other. The major functions are diagnostics and troubleshooting, including detecting and determining faults, collecting performance statistics, monitoring media health and detecting service performance. Using OAM tools, network operators can effectively monitor their network, detect and respond quickly to failures, and provide improved service to their customers.

WiMAX: New Kid on the Block... And a Step to 4G

The newest WiMAX standard, 802.16e-2005 (Rev-e), not only supports mobility, it has as its heart OFDMA technology -- an air interface which has already been adopted as the basis of all next-generation, or 4G, wireless technologies. But it goes farther than just the air interface. 4G is expected to consist of OFDM-based radio networks -- boosted by advanced antenna technologies such as multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) and beam forming -- with flat-IP architectures that are packet switched, delivering an order of magnitude boost to end-user bitrates. Here's the pitch.

A New Class of All-IP Routers; At Your Service

For video and mobile broadband upgrades, major carriers and service providers are deploying multi-service edge routers (MSERs). ��MSERs can best be thought of as a service control point that combines subscriber management, edge routing, and Ethernet aggregation over either ATM or Ethernet networks. Additional features such as network security, P2P traffic management, and session border controls for VoIP services, can be added as the MSER and the market demands for them.

Survivable Optical Networks: Intelligent Control Planes Enable Self-healing Networks

Recently, in a couple of incidents, undersea cable lines were cut or damaged by what appears to be dragged or discarded ship anchors. The adverse impact of interrupted transoceanic network traffic � often entailing significant financial consequnces � is prompting many network operators to move beyond pre-existing submarine cable network restoration plans. Control plane-based automation schemes are a key tool to enhance network survivability.